Side puller accessory frame for a car carrier and for a tow truck

ABSTRACT

A side puller accessory frame for a tow truck having a cab and a truck frame mounts to the truck frame behind the cab. The accessory frame preferably includes two stiff legs, a wire rope winch mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck that provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave that directs the pulling force to sides or the rear of the truck as desired. The accessory frame may include a removable pivotable side sheave that may mount in a side sheave mounting tube. The side puller accessory frame makes a conventional car carrier with a roll back bed a recovery truck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicants claim any and all benefits that flow from their provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 60/471,070 filed May 15, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel side puller accessory frame forthe pulling of loads by a car carrier 8 or tow truck from a point behindand in close proximity to a cab of the carrier or truck. The inventioncould also be used with other vehicles. The side puller accessory framehas an accessory frame mounting that mounts the accessory frame to avehicle frame behind a cab and transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle. A vehicle equipped with the side puller accessory frame mayfunction as a recovery apparatus. The accessory frame includes a poweredwinch that is equipped with a suitable line, preferably a wire rope, topermit the pulling of a load or loads such as wrecked cars fromaccidents and other objects towards the sides of the recovery apparatusas well as towards the rear.

The accessory frame preferably includes two manually actuated nestinglegs, a wire rope winch fixed to the accessory frame mounting near thecenter of the accessory frame with the winch transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle. The winch provides pulling force via aremovable pivotable center sheave mounted in a center sheave mountingtube through a top horizontal frame tube. The center sheave directs thepulling force to the sides or rear of the truck as desired or as riggedby a recovery technician, driver, or other user. The accessory frame mayinclude a removable pivotable side sheave mounted in a side sheavemounting tube. The side puller accessory frame increases the value of aconventional car carrier with a roll back bed by making the carrier intoa versatile recovery truck.

When a conventional tow truck limited to pulling along the longitudinalaxis of the truck recovers a load (often a wrecked motor vehicle) fromoff the road, the tow truck often must use more than one lane oftraffic. The instant accessory frame, when mounted to a car carrier witha rollback bed, allows the car carrier to be used as a recoveryapparatus. The accessory frame gives the carrier an advantage over theconventional tow truck, the capacity to recover over the side of thecarrier while taking up at most one lane of traffic.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal objective of this invention is to provide a novel andimproved side puller accessory frame to be mounted on a car carrier toallow the carrier to function as a recovery apparatus. The inventionprovides multiple useful angles of pulling power towards the sides andrear of the carrier.

Another objective is to provide an accessory frame that will reduce thelateral space (number of lanes of traffic) needed by a recoveryapparatus performing a recovery. A vehicle equipped with the instantside puller accessory frame can operate from a shoulder of the road offrom a single lane of traffic and from there recover a vehicle or loadfrom off the side of a road.

Additional and various other objects and advantages attained by theinvention will become more apparent as the specification is read and theaccompanying figures are reviewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation of a preferred side puller accessory frame;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred side puller accessoryframe;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an upper portion of the sidepuller accessory frame showing a side sheave mounting tube;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an upper portion of the sidepuller accessory frame;

FIG. 5 is a partial side perspective view of a preferred side pulleraccessory frame having two manually actuated nesting legs;

FIG. 6 is a partial side perspective view of an alternative embodimentof a side puller accessory frame having two hydraulically extendablelegs;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sidepuller accessory frame; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a load located off the side of a carrierwith a line attached between the load and a winch of a side pulleraccessory frame directed via a center sheave.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a car carrier 6 having a rollback bed 8often is sent out to respond to motor vehicle accidents. A car carrier6, a tow truck, or another vehicle equipped with a side puller accessoryframe 10 or 10′ mounted to a vehicle frame 12 behind a driver's cab 14,the present invention is a novel side puller accessory frame 10 that isfastened preferably with nuts and bolts to the vehicle frame inproximity to the driver's cab and transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 1, a side puller accessory frame 10 has a tophorizontal frame tube 16, having opposite ends 18 and 20 and a middlepoint 22; two diagonal frame tubes 24, each diagonal frame tube having amidpoint 26 and each diagonal frame tube joined to the horizontal frametube with one diagonal frame tube on each side and near the middlepoint, the diagonal frame tubes diverge downward and away from oneanother and from the horizontal frame tube. Two angled brace members 28each having a top end 30 and a bottom end 32 are joined at the top endsrespectively to the horizontal frame tube 16 near the opposite ends 18and 20 and away from the middle point 22; the angled brace membersconverge downward and towards one another and towards one of thediagonal frame tubes and each of the bottom ends is joined to one of thediagonal frame tubes respectively near one of the midpoints.

An appropriate accessory frame mounting 34 formed to fit and mountclosely to a vehicle frame is joined to and bridges between the diagonalframe tubes. Preferably, the accessory frame mounting 34 is mounted tothe vehicle frame 12 immediately behind a driver's cab 14 using nuts andbolts and with the side puller accessory frame 10 mounted transverse andacross the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Preferably, the accessoryframe mounting 34 is fabricated from steel channel and steel plate usingwelding techniques well known in the art.

Preferably, the horizontal frame tube 16 has a center sheave mountingtube 36 formed vertically through the middle point 22 and a side sheavemounting tube 38 mounted preferably by welding on each opposite end 18and 20. A removable pivotable center sheave 40 is mounted in the centersheave mounting tube 36 and a removable pivotable side sheave 42 can bemounted in one or the other side sheave mounting tubes 38. A zerk typegrease fitting 44 can be mounted in the center sheave mounting tube 36to help keep the center sheave 38 easily rotatable.

A powered winch 46 having a line 48 is fixed to the accessory framemounting 34. Preferably, the winch 46 is fixed to the mounting 34transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and between thediagonal frame tubes 24 to allow the line 48 to feed to and from thewinch selectively upwards and downwards through the center sheavemounting tube 36 and through a center sheave 40 mounted in the centersheave mounting tube and then either to a load 49(see FIG. 8) to bepulled or alternatively through a removable pivotable side sheave 42mounted in one of the side sheave mounting tubes 38.

The winch 46 may be hydraulically powered (the hydraulic system is notshown as such winches and their setup and operation are well known inthe art).

Preferably as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the side puller accessory frame 10has two manually actuated nesting legs 50 with one nesting leg nestingand selectively sliding in and out of each of the diagonal frame tubes24. Each of the nesting legs 50 has a plurality of pin bores 52predrilled along its length that cooperate with a cam lock 54 fixed tothe diagonal frame tube near the end away from the horizontal frame tube16 to selectively secure the nesting leg within the respective diagonalframe tube 24. The cam lock 54 operates a pin that selectively moves inor out of cooperating engagement with one of a plurality of pin bores52. Preferably, each nesting leg 50 has a base 56 fixed to its lower endand preferably each leg base has a D-ring 58 attached that may serve asa handle to assist the user in moving the nested leg or to use as anattachment point for a snatch block (not shown) during a recovery.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, in an alternative embodiment of a sidepuller accessory frame 10′, two support tube assemblies 60 are joined tothe diagonal frame tubes 24 with one of the support tube assembliesjoined parallel and along side each respective diagonal frame tube andwith each support tube assembly having a hydraulically extendable leg 62moved by a suitable and operable hydraulic actuator within the assemblythat moves the extendable leg selectively downward and outwardly orupward and inwardly. Each hydraulically extendable leg 62 has a base 56fixed to its lower end and preferably each leg base has a D-ring 58attached that may serve as an attachment point for a snatch block (notshown) during a recovery. The hydraulic actuator within the support tubeassembly 60 and the associated operable hydraulic system and controlsare not shown because suitable and operable actuators associatedhydraulic equipment, and operable hydraulic systems are readilyavailable and understood in the art.

The side puller accessory frame 10 or 10′ may include an anchor tab ortabs 64 attached to the angled brace members 28 to provide attachmentpoints for a snatch block or a shackle. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, areinforcement plate 66 can be used to reinforce the structure of anangled brace member 28 in the immediate vicinity around an anchor tab64.

Preferably, the components of the side puller accessory frame 10 arefabricated from steel tubing, steel channel and steel plate and elementsare joined using welding techniques well known in the art. Othersuitable materials and techniques known in the art may also be used.

The preceding description and exposition of the invention is presentedfor purposes of illustration and enabling disclosure. It is neitherintended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the preciseforms disclosed. Modifications or variations in the invention in lightof the above teachings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in theart are considered within the scope of the invention.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

1. A side puller accessory frame in combination with a vehicle having avehicle frame, wherein said accessory frame comprises: a top horizontalframe tube, having opposite ends and a middle point; two diagonal frametubes, each diagonal frame tube having a midpoint and each diagonalframe tube joined to said horizontal frame tube with one diagonal frametube on each side and near said middle point, said diagonal frame tubesdiverge downward and away from one another and from said horizontalframe tube; two angled brace members, each angled brace member having atop end and a bottom end, each angled brace member joined at said topends respectively to said horizontal frame tube near said opposite endsand away from said middle point, said angled brace members convergedownward and towards one another and towards one of said diagonal frametubes each of said bottom ends joined to one of said diagonal frametubes respectively near one of said midpoints; an accessory framemounting joined to and bridges between said diagonal frame tubes; saidaccessory frame mounting formed to fit and mount to said vehicle frame,said accessory frame mounting mounted to said vehicle frame; and a winchfixed to said accessory frame mounting.
 2. A side puller accessory frameaccording to claim 1 further comprising two nesting legs with one ofsaid nesting legs nesting and selectively sliding in and out of each ofsaid diagonal frame tubes.
 3. A side puller accessory frame according toclaim 2 wherein each of said nesting legs has a plurality of pin boresalong its length that cooperate with a cam lock fixed to said diagonalframe tube near the end away from said horizontal frame tube toselectively secure said nesting leg within said respective diagonalframe tube.
 4. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 3wherein each of said nesting legs having a base fixed to its lower endand each said leg base having a D-ring attached.
 5. A side pulleraccessory frame according to claim 1 further comprising two support tubeassemblies joined to said diagonal frame tubes with one of said supporttube assemblies joined parallel and along side each respective diagonalframe tube and with each said support tube assembly having an extendableleg.
 6. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 5 wherein eachsaid support tube assembly having an extendable leg moved by a hydraulicactuator within said assembly that moves said extendable leg selectivelydownward and outwardly or upward and inwardly.
 7. A side pulleraccessory frame according to claim 6 wherein each said extendable leghaving a base fixed to its lower end and each said leg base having aD-ring attached.
 8. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 2wherein said horizontal frame tube having a center sheave mounting tubeformed vertically through said middle point and a side sheave mountingtube mounted on each said opposite end.
 9. A side puller accessory frameaccording to claim 8 further comprising a removable pivotable centersheave mounted in said center sheave mounting tube.
 10. A side pulleraccessory frame according to claim 9 further comprising a removablepivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes.11. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 5 wherein saidhorizontal frame tube having a center sheave mounting tube formedvertically through said middle point and a side sheave mounting tubemounted on each said opposite end.
 12. A side puller accessory frameaccording to claim 11 further comprising a removable pivotable centersheave mounted in said center sheave mounting tube.
 13. A side pulleraccessory frame according to claim 12 further comprising a removablepivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes.14. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 10 wherein saidwinch having a line, and said winch fixed to said mounting transverse tothe longitudinal axis of said vehicle and between said diagonal frametubes to allow said line to feed to and from said winch selectivelyupwards and downwards through said center sheave mounting tube andthrough said center sheave mounted in said center sheave mounting tubeand then either to a load to be pulled or through said removablepivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes.15. A side puller accessory frame according to claim 13 wherein saidwinch having a line, and said winch fixed to said mounting transverse tothe longitudinal axis of said vehicle and between said diagonal frametubes to allow said line to feed to and from said winch selectivelyupwards and downwards through said center sheave mounting tube andthrough said center sheave mounted in said center sheave mounting tubeand then either to a load to be pulled or through said removablepivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes.16. A side puller accessory frame in combination with a vehicle having avehicle frame, wherein said accessory frame comprises: a top horizontalframe tube, having opposite ends and a middle point; said horizontalframe tube having a center sheave mounting tube formed verticallythrough said middle point and a side sheave mounting tube mounted oneach said opposite end; a removable pivotable center sheave mounted insaid center sheave mounting tube; a removable pivotable side sheavemounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes; two diagonal frametubes, each diagonal frame tube having a midpoint and each diagonalframe tube joined to said horizontal frame tube with one diagonal frametube on each side and near said middle point, said diagonal frame tubesdiverge downward and away from one another and from said horizontalframe tube; two nesting legs with one of said nesting legs nesting andselectively sliding in and out of each of said diagonal frame tubes;each of said nesting legs having a plurality of pin bores along itslength that cooperate with a cam lock fixed to said diagonal frame tubenear said end away from said horizontal frame tube to selectively securesaid nesting leg within said respective diagonal frame tube; each saidnesting leg having a base fixed to its lower end and each said leg basehaving a D-ring attached; two angled brace members, each angled bracemember having a top end and a bottom end, each angled brace memberjoined at said top ends respectively to said horizontal frame tube nearsaid opposite ends and away from said middle point, said angled bracemembers converge downward and towards one another and towards one ofsaid diagonal frame tubes each of said bottom ends joined to one of saiddiagonal frame tubes respectively near one of said midpoints; anaccessory frame mounting joined to and bridges between said diagonalframe tubes; said accessory frame mounting formed to fit and mount tosaid vehicle frame, said accessory frame mounting mounted to saidvehicle frame; and a winch having a line, and said winch fixed to saidmounting transverse to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle and betweensaid diagonal frame tubes to allow said line to feed to and from saidwinch selectively upwards and downwards through said center sheavemounting tube and through said center sheave mounted in said centersheave mounting tube and then either to a load to be pulled or throughsaid removable pivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheavemounting tubes.
 17. A side puller accessory frame in combination with avehicle having a vehicle frame, wherein said accessory frame comprises:a top horizontal frame tube, having opposite ends and a middle point;said horizontal frame tube having a center sheave mounting tube formedvertically through said middle point and a side sheave mounting tubemounted on each said opposite end; a removable pivotable center sheavemounted in said center sheave mounting tube; a removable pivotable sidesheave mounted in one of said side sheave mounting tubes; two diagonalframe tubes, each diagonal frame tube having a midpoint and eachdiagonal frame tube joined to said horizontal frame tube with onediagonal frame tube on each side and near said middle point, saiddiagonal frame tubes diverge downward and away from one another and fromsaid horizontal frame tube; two support tube assemblies joined to saiddiagonal frame tubes with one of said support tube assemblies joinedparallel and along side each respective diagonal frame tube and witheach said support tube assembly having an extendable leg; each saidsupport tube assembly having said extendable leg moved by a hydraulicactuator within said assembly that moves said extendable leg selectivelydownward and outwardly or upward and inwardly; each said extendable leghaving a base fixed to its lower end and each said leg base having aD-ring attached; two angled brace members, each angled brace memberhaving a top end and a bottom end, each angled brace member joined atsaid top ends respectively to said horizontal frame tube near saidopposite ends and away from said middle point, said angled brace membersconverge downward and towards one another and towards one of saiddiagonal frame tubes each of said bottom ends joined to one of saiddiagonal frame tubes respectively near one of said midpoints; anaccessory frame mounting joined to and bridges between said diagonalframe tubes; said accessory frame mounting formed to fit and mount tosaid vehicle frame, said accessory frame mounting mounted to saidvehicle frame; and a winch having a line, and said winch fixed to saidmounting transverse to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle and betweensaid diagonal frame tubes to allow said line to feed to and from saidwinch selectively upwards and downwards through said center sheavemounting tube and through said center sheave mounted in said centersheave mounting tube and then either to a load to be pulled or throughsaid removable pivotable side sheave mounted in one of said side sheavemounting tubes.